1 big thing

Almost 1 out of 2 Americans have had their first dose of vaccination against Covid-19. Compare that to 1 in 10 for the rest of the world. In the U.K. where second doses have been delayed, a newer variant is starting to outpace others. Plus, President Biden plans to meet with Vladimir Putin. And, new polling on how Americans view the fight for racial justice. Guests: Axios' Dave Lawler, Zach Basu,...

Today marks one year since George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis. His death galvanized a nation -- and reminded us of how many other names there are, of those killed by police. Many of the families left behind are struggling to recover, years and decades later. Plus, some schools won’t offer remote learning come fall. And, the start of a spaceflight revolution. Guests: Axios' Russell Contreras,...

In the almost year since George Floyd's murder, calls to "defund the police" have grown louder, and at a local level, that's resulted in cuts to some police budgets and efforts to reallocate funds to community policing and social services. Plus, Jonathan Swan talks to Representative Liz Cheney. And, venture capital thrives amid the pandemic. Guests: Axios' Fadel Allassan, Jonathan Swan and Kia Kok...

We're back with another episode of our Hard Truths series looking at the criminal justice system in the U.S. Today. Specifically, what happens when people of color make it out of that system and try to rebuild their lives. People of color are disproportionately imprisoned in the U.S. Black people are incarcerated five times more than white people, Hispanics nearly twice as likely as white people t...

After 11 days, the fighting between Israel and Hamas will end. Both the Israeli cabinet and Hamas approved a ceasefire yesterday. Plus, the latest from Capitol Hill this week. And, an unusually active hurricane season ahead. Guests: Axios' Barak Ravid, Margaret Talev, and Andrew Freedman. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara...

Lately we’ve been checking in with American mayors across the country who have had a tough year grappling with the pandemic. But some have also dealt with other crises, like the crippling winter storms that hit Fort Worth, Texas. Plus, the largest nurses union takes issue with the CDC. And, the EU opens its doors to vaccinated tourists. Guests: Mayor of Fort Worth, Texas, Betsy Price, certified in...

Thousands of Arab Americans and Muslims took to the streets in Dearborn, Michigan yesterday to protest President Biden’s support for Israel. This was as Biden visited the city to talk about the electric vehicles from a Ford plant. Plus, why so many Hispanic people in the U.S. want vaccines but aren’t getting them. And, a call for better police training. Guests: Sarah Rahal, city reporter for The D...

The Supreme Court yesterday agreed to take up a Mississippi case that could have huge repercussions for abortion access in the U.S. It will give the conservative-majority court the chance to weigh next term whether states should have the right to ban abortions before a fetus is viable outside the womb. Plus, McDonald’s isn’t the only company hiking wages to get workers back. And, how the pandemic...

We're entering the second week of intense fighting and violence in Israel and Gaza. Hopes for a cease-fire were dashed this weekend. Plus, why we still don’t know the origins of Covid. And, is President Biden trying to do too much, too fast? Guests: Axios' Bryan Walsh, Barak Ravid and Hans Nichols. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boo...

It’s been a busy week for national politics, from the Biden Administration trying to de-escalate in the Middle East to the GOP ouster of Representative Liz Cheney. Plus, one perspective on how the U.S. media is talking about the Middle East And, making social media safe for the LGTBQ+ community Guests: Omar Baddar, Palestinian-American political analyst and a member of the National Policy Council...

Inter-communal violence between Israelis and Palestinians is at its worst levels in more than 20 years. Israel’s military has killed at least 53 Palestinians in recent strikes, including 14 children. Six Israelis have been killed by Hamas rockets. Plus, the anxieties of face-to-face interaction And, popular brands and personal politics Guests: Dr. Jessica Stern, clinical psychologist and clinical...

The man accused in the Atlanta spa shootings was indicted on murder charges, yesterday. The prosecution says it will be pursuing a hate crime penalty. We recently sat down with our resident legal scholar, Harvard Law Professor Noah Feldman, to help us understand the complexity of defining and prosecuting hate. Plus, the GOP pushes Rep. Liz Cheney out from leadership. And, the bonkers market for re...

As the country reopens, we’ve begun checking in with American mayors who are grappling with decisions around relaxing restrictions, and opening school, offices and other businesses, just to name a few. We talk to Mayor Giles of Mesa, AZ. Plus, a Covid-19 vaccine for teenagers gets FDA approval. And, the Biden administration’s move to protect transgender healthcare. Guests: Mayor John Giles of Mesa...

Senator Bernie Sanders is getting impatient with the White House. That's one of the big takeaways from his conversation with Jonathan Swan for Axios on HBO. Plus, personalizing public education. And, a crisis unfolding in Jerusalem. Guests: Axios' Jonathan Swan, Bryan Walsh and Barak Ravid. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sa...

This week, the tension between conservatives and Rep. Liz Cheney heated up. And the GOP threatened Facebook after it upheld former president Trump’s suspension on the platform. Axios' Margaret Talev is here to tell us about the wild week in the GOP. Plus, the U.S. and Mexico talk immigration. And, local businesses suffer as tech workers stay home. Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev, Erica Pandey and Te...

Prices are going up for certain areas of the economy, but Axios' Felix Salmon says it's mostly the lingering effects of the quick and sudden shutdown of the economy in March 2020. Plus, getting covid vaccines and aid where they’re needed most. And, what’s ahead for eviction bans. Guests: Axios' Felix Salmon, Dave Lawler, and Orion Rummler. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushk...

Governor Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order to suspend all COVID-19 restrictions in the sunshine state which includes preventing local governments from their own restrictions. Less than 30% of the population of the state is fully vaccinated so far. Plus, holding companies accountable on racial justice. And, the real history of Cinco de Mayo. Guests: Mayor of Tampa Jane Castor, Axios' Court...

Texas is the latest battleground when it comes to voting restrictions. The Republican-controlled legislature could pass new laws as early as this week. Companies and activists are already lobbying against the bill which they say could be worse than the recent changes in Georgia. Plus, public health experts take a page from get-out-the-vote organizers. And, President Biden changes course on refugee...

Facebook’s Oversight Board, otherwise known as Facebook’s supreme court, could soon come back with a decision on whether or not to reverse Trump’s ban from using Facebook. The Oversight Board was created in 2019 to review appeals around free speech. Plus, the Fornite fight with Apple. And, the push to remember the Tulsa massacre 100 years later. Guests: Harvard University constitutional law profes...

This week, new COVID cases in the state of Michigan dropped almost 25%. Still, on Wednesday, 4,880 new cases were reported. The state is now also starting to see a decline in hospitalizations after record rates of cases among young adults and children. Plus, what’s behind the push for paid podcasts. And, European soccer teams’ fight against racism. Guests: Dr. Marisa Louie, the medical director of...

Last night, President Biden gave his first address to a joint session of Congress. Over an hour and five minutes, the president touched on just about every major issue facing the county right now, and called for investment in the American economy and social safety net. Plus, how the pandemic has hurt younger workers. And, the NFL opts for a live, in-person draft. Guests: Axios' Hans Nichols, Erica...

On Sunday, almost 1.6 million American air passengers passed through security checkpoints. Compare that to just about 130,000 the same day last year. Travelers are rushing to buy plane tickets, airlines are scrambling to add flights and rework schedules. Plus, some new guidance around masking. And, the Biden administration’s plan to go after tax evaders. Guests: Axios' Joann Muller and Felix Salmo...

The Biden administration announced plans to share 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine with other countries. The US has been criticized for how little it shared so far - for example, we’ve sent just four million AstraZeneca doses to our neighbors in Mexico and Canada - even those they’ve asked for much more. Plus, how the Census is redrawing the Congressional map. And, Tesla and the future...

India has set record highs in daily coronavirus cases. They've recorded more than a million cases just over the past few days. Plus, approval ratings for the President at the 100 day-mark. And, why are there so many immersive Van Gogh exhibits in the US? Guests: Journalist Indrani Basu, and Axios' Mike Allen and Selene San Felice. Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Indust...

New decisions from the Supreme Court, President Joe Biden's busy week and the exclusive communications firm that helped the prosecution in Derek Chauvin's trial - a wrapup of this week in politics. Plus, activists and the Chauvin verdict - one historian's perspective. And, who’s ready for the Oscars? Guests: Axios' Margaret Talev and Sara Fischer and historian and activist Dr. Barbara Ransby. Cred...